The penthouse at Sydney’s new Kurraba Residences is furnished throughout with pieces from Liaigre, the ultimate French interior design brand.

If you’ve ever wondered what $1 million of new furniture looks like, I’ve got one word for you: Kurraba. The penthouse atop the red brick apartment development on the north Sydney promontory of the same name is decked out with sofas, tables, desks, beds, lamps, ottomans, guerdons and so forth, all ordered from chic French furniture brand Liaigre. And totalling a cool mill, according to the interior architects.

“We’ve worked with the brand for some years now on our projects, and it seemed most appropriate for the Kurraba Residences [penthouse] to completely kit it out in Liaigre” says Phillip Mathieson, founder and director of Mathieson Architects, which designed the interiors of all 24 apartments – including what he terms the “super-penthouse” since it occupies 430 square metres over two top floors and gives onto 216m2 of private garden and a swimming pool.

The four-bedroom, four-ensuite home, which includes a gym, steam room, wine cellar, butler’s pantry, several living rooms and studies, and dress circle views onto the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is also adorned with dozens of art works by the likes of Bronwyn Oliver, Brett Whitely and Marion Borgelt. (Leased from Artbank, these and other prestige pieces can also be made available to the buyers of the property.)

The idea is to really show the potential lifestyle available to the eventual owner”, says Mathieson. “It’s a supreme turnkey proposition”

But how to prevent an enormous penthouse fitted out in one brand, no matter how posh, from feeling like a showroom?

“We strived to ensure that each room feels unique, that they are experienced in different ways” says Mathieson. “We’ve done that by not picking the obvious things to sit side-by-side, by introducing unexpected fabrics in the draperies and upholstery. A lot of effort was made to ensure that despite being the ultimate French interior design brand, we adapted the pieces to the local context”

Cristophe Caillaud, chief executive and president of Liaigre, agrees. “If we, the French headquarters, had simply provided furniture and fittings, we’d probably have misjudged local factors like air quality and light. Sydney’s sunlight is so spectacularly different to that of Paris”

Indeed, those rich silk rugs – in an oyster shell shade, say, or dreamy deep aubergine – seem to glimmer in the afternoon spring sunlight on the day I visit.

The curved glass floor-to-ceiling walls are slid wide open, the breeze ripples across ultra-fine linen drapery, a ferry casts gentle waves of foam in its wake as it beetles over to Neutral Bay, just below.

I’m strolling through rooms arrayed in a scalloped formation, which architect Adam Haddow of SJB, who designed the apartment building, will later tell me are intended to riff off the irregular topography of Kurraba Point. The fluted bricks, he points out, are standard-issue but laid in such a way as to absorb rather than deflect light” as the sun shifts across the south-facing, citadel-like building throughout the day.

It’s all been finely calculated to give a sense of ease, uncontrived elegance.

Meanwhile, I’m doing the mental arithmetic.

There’s a customised 12-seat Liaigre ‘Malte’ oak dining table, say $50,000. Hand stitched leather ‘Archipel’ dining chairs, around $2000 a piece. A quick Google search turns up a low-lying ‘Augustin’ sofa for €16,000 ($28,100) – which doesn’t factor in the sumptuously thick linen upholstery deployed in the Kurraba fitout. All the furniture – crafted predominately from oak, bronze and leather – is hand-made in France (except the rugs, which are hand-loomed and knotted in Nepal.)

Yes, I can see how this much stuff in this many rooms would definitely add up.

But what happens if the buyer decides they don’t like bulk Liaigre?

“I don’t reckon that’s a deal-breaker,” laughs Mathieson. “But if they don’t we might just see a fair bit of collectable Liaigre kit turn up on the secondary market.”

If that happens, I’ll be in line for one of the Christian Liaigre’s iconic Nagato side table/stool/plinth things – slabs of solid oak sculpted into a Brancusi-like monolith, usually with a natural rift that splits the timber with chic nonchalance. Created by Liaigre the year after he opened his Left Bank studio in 1985, the Nagato would become emblematic of his minimalist aesthetic, which marked 1990s interiors the world over. They retain their integrity today.

Christian Liaigre was born at the height of World War II in La Rochelle, on the Atlantic coast of France. He attended the École des Beaux-Arts and the École national supérieure des arts décoratifs, both in Paris, eventually meeting Alberto Giacometti, who in turn introduced him to Constantin Brâncusí. The latter is widely considered the granddaddy of modernist sculpture.

Liaigre’s eponymous Paris studio was influenced by the totemic approach of both artists, and he started out designing cabinetry with a decidedly sculptural allure. He made waves with his interiors for the 1920s Hotel Montalembert (just off Boulevard Saint-Germain) and these rippled around the world as his influence grew. He designed the minimalist Mercer Hotel in New York in 1998, which was soon followed by private residences for the likes of Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld and Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich.

Hotelier Ian Schrager – the brains behind the Royalton New York, the Delano in Miami and the Mondrian in West Hollywood – commissioned Liaigre to design the interiors of his own Downtown Manhattan apartment, and reckoned it was “the most sophisticated thing I have ever done”.

“His furniture was so refined, so beautiful and so well-made,” said Schrager, upon hearing of Liaigre’s death on September 2, 2020.

“Christian was extremely demanding [and] incredibly precise in the outcomes he was seeking, whether that was in a single chair or in the architecture of a whole room” recalled Caillaud, who joined the company from Jean Paul Gaultier in 2009.

Creative direction is now overseen by Frauke Meyer, who for many years worked alongside Christian Liaigre.

“My role is to guarantee the longevity of the brand we now call simply, Liaigre,” Caillaud says. “And to see our aesthetic laid out with such refinement and finesse in a setting so far from our native Paris, seemed like a dream”

Dreams do, it seems, come true.

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Buyers are now set to move into the SJB-designed by Kurraba Road project, which was built by Richard Crookes Construction.

Prominent developer Third.i has completed construction of one of its most luxurious projects to date.

They’ve finished the build of Kurraba Residences, their high-end Kurraba Point apartment development of just 24 apartments, 21 of which have sold.

Just three penthouses remain, and are set to hit the market in the coming weeks. The penthouses have been designed to offer the same level of consideration and luxury as an elite private home, with the Phillip Mathieson-led Mathieson Architects handling the interiors. 

Buyers are now set to move into the SJB-designed by Kurraba Road project, which was built by Richard Crookes Construction.

There are two, three and four-bedroom apartments in the five-level building, which SJB Director Adam Haddow says will set new standards for harbourside living in Sydney.

“Embraced by foreshore gardens on all three sides, the architecture pays homage to classic 1920’s apartment buildings that dominate the edges of the harbour. Sculpted in brick, the graceful building reaches out to the water like fingers on a hand,” Haddow said. 

There’s exclusive amenities and services reserved for residents, including a wine cellar room and dining area, a secure lock up garage with lift access, a concierge service, and a communal rooftop garden with BBQ facilities.

Read more.

The three penthouses at Thirdi’s just-completed Kurraba Residences in Kurraba Point offer swoon-worthy harbour views and tactile finishes.

How many Sydneysiders can watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks from their living room? Better still, how many can also see the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the entire city skyline and a magical panorama of the harbour and its waterfront neighbourhoods including Mosman, Rose Bay and Kirribilli?

The three penthouses at Thirdi’s just-completed Kurraba Residences, a boutique block of 24 apartments, dish up the kind of swoon-worthy views that make living in Sydney an everyday delight.

“We’re on the north side of the harbour, looking back towards the city,” says co-founder and director of Thirdi Group, Luke Berry. “It’s an iconic view of our city, an all-encompassing view that captures the Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, the Opera House, Centrepoint, and the CBD. I love watching someone walk out onto the penthouse level and they’re just mesmerised by the view, it takes your breath away.”

Berry accurately describes the view as both vast and intimate. Unlike many city penthouses which tower sixty or more storeys above the ground, the three Kurraba Residences penthouses are on levels four and five, just high enough to deliver sensational views above the nearby treetops.

“It’s a genuine front-row position to the best that Sydney Harbour can offer,” Berry says. “It’s rare to be able to sit outside and hear the rigging slap the masts in the boats, and you can almost taste the salt air. While these homes are elevated and get never-to-be-built-out views, they’re still close enough that you can experience the elements in all their beauty. There’s a premium that people put on that sensory experience with their home.”

The penthouse interiors also focus on a sensory experience. Interior designer Phillip Mathieson has chosen a fit-out and furniture with fine details to be discovered on close inspection, but which otherwise recede into the background, to avoid competing with the views.

Run your fingers up the limestone balustrade in the two-storey Kurraba penthouse or walk barefoot over the silk rug in the living room and you’ll understand the tactile nature of both fixed and portable finishes.

“Our focus was on developing a palette of materials and colours that are timeless,” says Mathieson, who subscribes to the idea that luxury needn’t be obvious. “It was about being able to create a backdrop for amazing artwork and furniture pieces to go into.”

Mathieson partnered with French furniture brand Liaigre to furnish the penthouses and the chosen pieces can be included in the sale, with the exception of the artworks supplied by Artbank. 

Just two of the three penthouses remain for sale, inclusive of the two-storey Kurraba penthouse. Mathieson says the master bedroom here is a highlight. 

“I think it’s actually got to be one of the best bedrooms anywhere in Sydney,” he says. “It’s got this amazing, wrap-around curve of glass which all opens up, so it’s almost like you’re sleeping on the prow of a ship.”

The en suite features a central bath and a striking, circular, marble vanity, each carved and expertly honed from single blocks of Statuario marble. 

“We looked at how to maximise the exposure to the view from every angle of that en suite,” says Mathieson. “So rather than a traditional layout, where everything is just kind of pushed against the wall, these elements are like islands in the room.”

The kitchen is separated from the living spaces by a set of timber and burnished metal pivot doors, offering the flexibility to either conceal or open the kitchen when entertaining.

Out on the 226-square-metre terrace, landscaper Dangar Barin Smith has installed real grass, adding to the house-like ambience of the apartment, and there’s also a plunge pool/spa. 

A glass of bubbles to toast the New Year in these rarefied surrounds? Yes please.

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From the launch of a boutique residential project in one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods to the first office asset exchanged in Perth this year, today’s wrap spans east to west.

SOLD

Office building at 10 William Street in the Perth CBD sold for $21 million

An office building at 10 William Street in the Perth CBD has sold for $21 million, becoming the first office asset to be exchanged this year.

It was purchased by one of Australia’s largest educational institutions, Stanley College, following an expression of interest campaign run by Greg McAlpine, Tony Delich and Zach Schreier of Knight Frank.

The six-storey building has 4,248 square metres (sqm) of net lettable area and sits on a 1,560 sqm site with secure open parking at the rear for up to 30 cars.

The property was sold with 75.5% occupancy and a current net income of $1,356,524 per annum.

“We took a long-term view with this acquisition which allows Stanley College to continue delivering training and education to international and local students which will create job-ready graduates with skills which are in high demand in WA, such as nursing, community care and ICT,” said Stanley College president, Alberto Tassone.

McAlpine said there was strong buyer interest during the campaign from both investors and owner-occupiers, but enquiries were particularly strong from the latter.

“The majority of the building has a 9B classroom certification, and this point of difference provided an opportunity for education users, from which interest was solid.”

ANNOUNCED

Colliers secures Good Bean on Melbourne’s St Kilda Road

Melbourne’s St Kilda Road continues to be brought back to its former glory, with Colliers having secured food and beverage operator Good Bean to 11 Queens Road within one week of being appointed.

The well-established F&B operator, Good Bean, already houses venues across Melbourne’s high-foot trafficked kiosk areas, such as Malvern Central, Tooronga Village and South Yarra.

“Good Bean had been looking for an opportunity to secure a break into the location and the office lobby sector, benefitting from a captive audience in the above offices,” said Colliers executive retail leasing, Thomas Macrae.

“The deal was signed within a week from Colliers’ being appointed, as the fully fitted 44sqm space ticked all the boxes for the tenant, which has allowed them to quickly start operations.”

Boutique architectural residences to launch in Potts Point in 2025

Australian property developer Third.i, in collaboration with acquisition partner Toohey Miller, has announced the launch of their boutique residential project Muse Potts Point.

Muse will deliver 13 one, two and three bedroom boutique residences in Potts Point, one of the city’s oldest and most fashionable neighbourhoods.

Third.i co-founder and director, Luke Berry, said they are excited to be launching the company’s first project in Potts Point, and that they worked with the council and responded to the needs of the local community to create a legacy project that will complement the area, limit impact to the neighbours and support the growth of the suburb.

“We are thrilled to offer buyers an opportunity to secure their slice of boutique living in the heart of Potts Point,” he said.

“Residents will have effortless access to an array of amenities included in Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle, ensuring they can fully embrace the offerings of this dynamic neighbourhood.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023, and works are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.

FOR SALE

Major mixed-use site in Geelong West for sale

Colliers and Stonebridge are exclusively bringing the high-performing Pakington Strand Shopping Centre to market.

Anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket and supported by 13 specialty shops, three kiosks and one ATM, the centre presents a unique opportunity to benefit from a strong-trading existing shopping centre.

The significant 20,984 sqm mixed-use zone site encompasses an outstanding possibility for a major mixed-use development comprising retail, commercial and residential uses, given its current low site coverage of 25% and strategic location prominently situated in Geelong West, adjacent to the Geelong CBD.

Pakington Strand Shopping Centre, 95-103 Pakington Street, Geelong West, is being offered for sale via an expressions of interest campaign, closing at 2pm (AEDT) on Wednesday November 15 2023.

Read More.

Property developers Third.i, in collaboration with acquisition partner Toohey Miller have announced the launch of their boutique residential project Muse Potts Point and it promises to redefine luxury inner-city living in Sydney.

Muse will deliver 13 one, two and three-bedroom boutique residences in one of the city’s oldest and most fashionable neighbourhoods.

Third.i has engaged leading Australian architects WMK Architecture to ensure the building’s facade will reflect the architectural and natural heritage of the site. The design has been curated to evoke a sense of elegance, with a contemporary yet timeless render that will blend seamlessly into the local Potts Point area.

Wide flowing terraces will amplify the sweeping views on select residences, drawing from the beauty of the harbour and city landscapes. A communal rooftop will top the project, complete with a residents-only pool and expansive scenery. 

Designed by Architecture and Interior Design Practice, Mathieson, the interiors will encompass urban luxury, large living spaces, with bespoke finishes and high-end appliances. Each residence will have rich artisan detailing and capacious oak veneer cabinetry that seamlessly blends into the open living areas. A floating limestone-clad fireplace shapes an atmospheric place to retreat, entertain, and live.

Luke Berry, Co-Founder & Director of Third.i said they are thrilled to be launching the company’s first project in Potts Point, sharing that they worked with the council and responded to the needs of the local community to create a legacy project that will complement the area, limit impact to the neighbours and support the growth of the suburb.

“Muse not only encapsulates the essence of the neighbourhood and suburb, but also presents stunning apartments that are skilfully designed to optimise the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“We are thrilled to offer buyers an opportunity to secure their slice of boutique living in the heart of Potts Point. Residents will have effortless access to an array of amenities included in Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle, ensuring they can fully embrace the offerings of this dynamic neighbourhood,” said Mr Berry.

The demand for premium, lifestyle properties in Potts Point and Sydney’s East remains strong due to prestige downsizers looking to sell their family homes.

According to recent market analysis, boutique luxury residences are proving to be better suited to areas like Potts Point given the increasing interest from this buyer group, the growth margins and the heritage of the suburb.

Phillip Mathieson, Founder and Design Director of Mathieson, said, “We are delighted to be unveiling a design for Potts Point Muse that combines the very best of luxury and lifestyle. Through our approach of committed restraint and meticulous attention to detail, each boutique apartment has been designed to capture the essence of inner-city living, and beauty in simplicity.”

Muse Potts Point is ideally located on Brougham Street and is within walking distance of the Royal Botanic Garden, the recently opened Sydney Modern Art Gallery, and the vibrant local dining and café scene. Residents will also enjoy easy access to local boutique shopping outlets and the stunning Sydney harbour waterfront.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023 and works are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.

Read More.

“We have brought together some of the best minds of design and architecture, to deliver something truly unique to Potts Point,” Third.i’s Luke Berry said

Third.i and Toohey Miller’s Potts Point joint venture, Muse Potts Point, has kicked off its sales campaign.

The newly launched project of just 13 one, two and three-bedroom apartments on Brougham Street near Woolloomooloo has been designed by WMK Architecture to reflect the architectural and natural heritage in one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods. 

The design has been curated to evoke a sense of elegance, with a contemporary yet timeless render that will blend into the local Potts Point area. Wide flowing terraces will amplify the sweeping views on select residences, drawing from the beauty of the harbour and city landscapes.

The interiors have been in the control of architecture and interior design practice Mathieson and will encompass large living spaces, with bespoke finishes.

Phillip Mathieson said each apartment “has been designed to capture the essence of inner-city living, and beauty in simplicity.”

Each apartment will have rich artisan detailing and capacious oak veneer cabinetry that seamlessly blends into the open living areas. A floating limestone clad fireplace shapes an atmospheric place to retreat, entertain and live.

The spaces will feature a suite of high-end appliances including a Wolf induction cooktop, built- in microwave oven, and pyrolytic oven, a V-Zug fully integrated dishwasher, and a fridge and freezer by Sub Zero.

Italian lighting studio, Viabizzuno, will be providing all the lighting at Muse, marking the first development in Australia to be exclusively Viabizzuno. Known for coupling beautiful materials with the best in lighting technology, Viabizzuno lighting is the favoured lighting supplier in numerous luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Gucci and Valentino.

Third.i Co-Founder and Director Luke Berry said they are thrilled to be launching the company’s first project in Potts Point, sharing that they worked with the council and responded to the needs of the local community to create a legacy project that will complement the area, limit impact to the neighbours and support the growth of the suburb.

“We have brought together some of the best minds of design and architecture, to deliver something truly unique to Potts Point,” Berry said.

“Muse not only encapsulates the essence of the neighbourhood and suburb, but also presents stunning apartments that are skilfully designed to optimise the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“We are thrilled to offer buyers an opportunity to secure their slice of boutique living in the heart of Potts Point. Residents will have effortless access to an array of amenities included in Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle, ensuring they can fully embrace the offerings of this dynamic neighbourhood.”

The demand for premium, lifestyle properties in Potts Point and Sydney’s East remains strong due to prestige downsizers looking to sell their family homes.

Muse Potts Point is located on Brougham Street and is within walking distance of the Royal Botanic Garden, the recently opened Sydney Modern Art Gallery, and the vibrant local dining and café scene.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023 and works are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.

Read More.

Australia’s leading property developer Third.i, in collaboration with acquisition partner Toohey Miller, is thrilled to announce the launch of their boutique residential project Muse Potts Point.

Set to redefine luxury inner-city living, Muse will deliver 13 one, two and three bedroom boutique residences in one of the city’s oldest and most fashionable neighbourhoods.

Third.i has engaged leading Australian architects WMK Architecture to ensure the building’s facade will reflect the architectural and natural heritage of the site. The design has been curated to evoke a sense of elegance, with a contemporary yet timeless render that will blend seamlessly into the local Potts Point area. Wide flowing terraces will amplify the sweeping views on select residences, drawing from the beauty of the harbour and city landscapes. A communal rooftop will top the project, complete with a residents only pool and expansive scenery.

Designed by Architecture and Interior Design Practice, Mathieson, the interiors will encompass urban luxury and large living spaces, with bespoke finishes. Each residence will have rich artisan detailing and capacious oak veneer cabinetry that seamlessly blends into the open living areas. A floating limestone clad fireplace shapes an atmospheric place to retreat, entertain and live.

The spaces will feature a suite of high-end appliances including a Wolf induction cooktop, built-in microwave oven, and pyrolytic oven, a V-Zug fully integrated dishwasher, and a fridge and freezer by Sub Zero.

Italian lighting studio, Viabizzuno, will be providing all the lighting at Muse, marking the first development in Australia to be exclusively Viabizzuno. Known for coupling beautiful materials with the best in lighting technology, Viabizzuno lighting is the favoured lighting supplier in numerous luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Gucci and Valentino.

Luke Berry, Co-Founder & Director of Third.i said they are thrilled to be launching the company’s first project in Potts Point, sharing that they worked with the council and responded to the needs of the local community to create a legacy project that will complement the area, limit impact to the neighbours and support the growth of the suburb.

“We have brought together some of the best minds of design and architecture, to deliver something truly unique to Potts Point. Muse not only encapsulates the essence of the neighbourhood and suburb, but also presents stunning apartments that are skilfully designed to optimise the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

MUSE POTTS POINT 

THIRD.I LAUNCH COLLECTION OF BOUTIQUE ARCHITECTURAL RESIDENCES TO MARKET AT POTTS POINT

Australia’s leading property developer Third.i, in collaboration with acquisition partner Toohey Miller, is thrilled to announce the launch of their boutique residential project Muse Potts Point.

Set to redefine luxury inner-city living, Muse will deliver 13 one, two and three bedroom boutique residences in one of the city’s oldest and most fashionable neighbourhoods.

Third.i has engaged leading Australian architects WMK Architecture to ensure the building’s facade will reflect the architectural and natural heritage of the site. The design has been curated to evoke a sense of elegance, with a contemporary yet timeless render that will blend seamlessly into the local Potts Point area. Wide flowing terraces will amplify the sweeping views on select residences, drawing from the beauty of the harbour and city landscapes. A communal rooftop will top the project, complete with a residents only pool and expansive scenery.

Designed by Architecture and Interior Design Practice, Mathieson, the interiors will encompass urban luxury and large living spaces, with bespoke finishes. Each residence will have rich artisan detailing and capacious oak veneer cabinetry that seamlessly blends into the open living areas. A floating limestone clad fireplace shapes an atmospheric place to retreat, entertain and live.

The spaces will feature a suite of high-end appliances including a Wolf induction cooktop, built-in microwave oven, and pyrolytic oven, a V-Zug fully integrated dishwasher, and a fridge and freezer by Sub Zero.

Italian lighting studio, Viabizzuno, will be providing all the lighting at Muse, marking the first development in Australia to be exclusively Viabizzuno. Known for coupling beautiful materials with the best in lighting technology, Viabizzuno lighting is the favoured lighting supplier in numerous luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Gucci and Valentino.

Luke Berry, Co-Founder & Director of Third.i said they are thrilled to be launching the company’s first project in Potts Point, sharing that they worked with the council and responded to the needs of the local community to create a legacy project that will complement the area, limit impact to the neighbours and support the growth of the suburb.

“We have brought together some of the best minds of design and architecture, to deliver something truly unique to Potts Point. Muse not only encapsulates the essence of the neighbourhood and suburb, but also presents stunning apartments that are skilfully designed to optimise the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“We are thrilled to offer buyers an opportunity to secure their slice of boutique living in the heart of Potts Point. Residents will have effortless access to an array of amenities included in Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle, ensuring they can fully embrace the offerings of this dynamic neighbourhood,” said Mr Berry.

The demand for premium, lifestyle properties in Potts Point and Sydney’s East remains strong due to prestige downsizers looking to sell their family homes.* According to recent market analysis, boutique luxury residences are proving to be better suited to areas like Potts Point given the increasing interest from this buyer group, the growth margins and heritage of the suburb.

Phillip Mathieson, Founder and Design Director of Mathieson, said, “We are delighted to be unveiling a design for Potts Point Muse that combines the very best of luxury and lifestyle. Through our approach of committed restraint and meticulous attention to detail, each boutique apartment has been designed to capture the essence of inner-city living, and beauty in simplicity.”

Muse Potts Point is ideally located on Brougham Street and is within walking distance of the Royal Botanic Garden, the recently opened Sydney Modern Art Gallery, and the vibrant local dining and café scene. Residents will also enjoy easy access to local boutique shopping outlets and the stunning Sydney harbour waterfront.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023 and works are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.

Read More.

WMK Architects’ masterful design of the Third.I and Toohey Miller-developed Muse Potts Point have officially hit the market, with 13 boutique residences to offer prospective buyers the opportunity to live in one of the harbour city’s oldest and most fashionable neighbourhoods.

Briefed to ensure congruence with the heritage of the suburb, the elegant design is markedly timeless and melds seamlessly into the local Potts Point area. Terraces maximise harbour and city views for select residences, while a communal rooftop with a pool will be utilised by occupant.

Interiors, handled by Mathieson, will encompass urban luxury, with bespoke finishes, high-end appliances, artisan detailing and oak veneer cabinetry integrated. Large living spaces and open areas will provide ample space to both entertain and live. 

“We are delighted to be unveiling a design for Potts Point Muse that combines the very best of luxury and lifestyle,” says Mathieson Design Director Phillip Mathieson.  

“Through our approach of committed restraint and meticulous attention to detail, each boutique apartment has been designed to capture the essence of inner-city living, and beauty in simplicity.”

Located on Brougham Street, Muse is located in close proximity to the Royal Botanic Garden, the recently opened Sydney Modern Art Gallery, and the vibrant local dining and café scene. Residents will also enjoy easy access to local boutique shopping outlets and the stunning Sydney harbour waterfront.

Third.i Co-Founder Luke Berry says the company is delighted to be launching the company’s maiden project in Potts Point, having worked alongside Council and the local community.

“We have brought together some of the best minds of design and architecture, to deliver something truly unique to Potts Point.,” he says.

“Muse not only encapsulates the essence of the neighbourhood and suburb, but also presents stunning apartments that are skilfully designed to optimise the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“We are thrilled to offer buyers an opportunity to secure their slice of boutique living in the heart of Potts Point. Residents will have effortless access to an array of amenities included in Potts Point’s vibrant lifestyle, ensuring they can fully embrace the offerings of this dynamic neighbourhood,” said Mr Berry.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023 and works are expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.

Read More.

Local Crows Nest developer Third.i Group and Phoenix Property Investors are proud to present their future-focused masterplanned precinct in Crows Nest, Hume Place.

Working with one of the world’s leading architectural practices, Woods Bagot, and renowned WSP Architecture, the team sets to transform Crows Nest into Sydney’s most connected and progressive village with the precinct, designed with a community-centric approach.

Set above the Crows Nest Metro Station, Hume Place will comprise two stages. Stage 1 will bring stunning residences, retail, dining, and co-working spaces to the precinct. Stage 2 is set to provide an enhanced focus on public spaces, with a proposed 15% of that space dedicated to key and essential worker affordable housing.

In addition to a vibrant precinct on the doorstep, residents will have reduced travel times of seven minutes to the Sydney CBD and just four minutes to Chatswood with the new Metro Station located within the community.

“Having better connected communities means people can get onto a train and get where they’re going more easily, without having to think about where to park their car, or how much they will have to pay to park it,” said Florian Caillon, Head of Acquisitions at Third.i.

Co-founder of Third.i Group Luke Berry is excited to bring the masterplanned community to Crows Nest – a legacy for the Lower North Shore.

“We’ve always believed that when you combine innovation and brilliance together, you get the perfect outcome for a project and the people that exist in it,” said Luke.

Hume Place is a result of close consultation with the community of Crows Nest – the collaboration resulting in a place that offers something for everyone.

The team will unveil more exciting details about the development in the upcoming weeks.

Read More.

With the NSW state government directly indicating that it wants more high rise residential apartments in the North Sydney LGA, two developers have responded with plans for major apartment initiatives. But there is pushback on one of them amid concerns that good planning practice is being bypassed.

The developer of the site over the coming Crows Nest Metro station, Third.i, said it will dedicate about 15 percent of its proposed residential tower at Hume Street to affordable housing for nearby hospital workers.

Third.i and its partner PPI said they are joining with one of Australia’s largest community housing providers, Evolve Housing, to designate 15% of the mixed-used development to nurses, midwives, health professional and services staff working at nearby Royal North Shore Hospital and other local health facilities in perpetuity. “This will allow health workers, who are unable to find affordable rental apartments within the Local Government Area, to live close to their workplaces,” they said.

A survey conducted by the developers found many St Leonards health workers travelled 30 to 50km to work, with the cost of local studio apartments equivalent to 58% of their pay.

Third.i and PPI have already been granted Stage 1 approval for the Metro Precinct Site A and B development, but are proposing to amend the concept for mixed-use, which includes a mix of affordable housing, private residential, retail, and commercial floor space. Although the two did not identify the number of new apartments planned, they did place a value of $130 million on the initiative.

Earlier this year, Third.i indicated full priced units in the development would cost around $800,000 for a one-bedroom and $1.8 million for a two-bedroom unit.

Meanwhile, MLC Building owner Investa has released plans to re-purpose the empty office block as a build-to-rent office tower. Having been thwarted by the state government and the courts to demolish the 1957 building, Investa now wants to refit the building to support 340 apartments and 2500sq m of retail space.

However, the plan has attracted instant opposition from North Sydney Council.

Mayor Zoe Baker told the Sydney Morning Herald that “In one fell swoop, something like this undermines that careful planning and conservatorship of that core for commercial purposes. We’ll be making a very strong submission that this not proceed.” She added that it will be the “death knell” for the North Sydney CBD.

According to Council, “the existing E2 – Commercial Core zone, expressly prohibits residential development including serviced apartments. This prohibition has been in place for many years.”

The North Sydney Local Strategic Planning Statement says “The North Sydney CBD will retain its commercial core zoning to ensure that employment capacity is provided for and residential development is restricted to its peripheral locations. This will ensure that North Sydney continues to deliver a place that is reflective of the highest order centre assigned under the regional and district plans.”

It’s worth noting that there is some residential accommodation in the North Sydney CBD already.

There is an apartment block at 93 Pacific Highway, just one block away from MLC, as well as substantial residential property north of Berry St, again just one block away.

TINK’S FORUM PLAN: Meanwhile, independent federal MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink has made the call out to local residents for their ideas on how to solve the housing issue. “What’s the one big idea we need to push Canberra to consider? What’s the idea you think will make the most impact but which politicians seem unwilling to consider?” she asked, calling for written submissions by this weekend.

Tink is also engaging in what she calls deliberative democracy to help foster discussions about solutions, via a North Sydney Community Housing Forum. “For this event, a group of around 30-40 residents will convene to spend a day together to consider potential solutions to this difficult policy problem. Participants are asked to find common ground around one idea, showing their reasoning and what questions need to be answered to know if it is viable,” Tink said.   “Participants will be selected from a random sample of voters in the North Sydney electorate,” and weighted to be representative.  “They will be representative of a cross-section of the electorate’s demographics and geography.”

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